Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, or other threats on a person's life. Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in how a person thinks and feels, and an increase in the fight-or-flight response. These symptoms last for more than a month after the event. Young children are less likely to show distress but instead may express their memories through play.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The cause of PTSD is not entirely understood. Risk factors may include a history of trauma, a history of mental health issues, or a history of abuse. It is also possible that certain genes may make some people more likely to develop PTSD than others.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis is based on the presence of specific symptoms following a traumatic event. PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder in the ICD, but in the DSM, it is classified as a trauma- and stressor-related disorder.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for PTSD may involve psychotherapy, medication, or both. Most people with PTSD recover completely with appropriate treatment, but recovery can be slow and incomplete in some cases.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

National Institute of Mental Health - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.